Constant tension winch, variable load motor control system, and the like



Dec. 27, 1932. i M. B. BENSON CONSTANT TENSION WINCH, VARIABLE LOAD MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM, AND THE LIKE Fild Nov. 12. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 Li /vvv ll 5 j I 7 .50 2.9 36 E I 27 1? 32's? I o m: -2 55 'z i I W 74 w k /1219 11! '14 1,,

INVENTOR I Mink/6.5mm

- BY A [mfg/1 $104 {1M ATTORNEYS Dec. 27, 1932. B BENSON 1,892,130

CONSTANT TENSION WINCH, VARIABLE LOAD MOTOR CONTROLSYS'I'EM, AND THE'LIKE Filed Nov. 12. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l NvENTOR .l y lwh 8. 321M022 am w WWW ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE MELVIN B. BENSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

WALTER N. SELIGSBERG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AS TRUSTEE CONSTANT TENSION WINCH, VARIABLE LOAD MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM, AND THE LIKE Application filed November 12, 1930. Serial No. 495,035.

This invention relates to constant tension Winches and other applications wherein a driving motor or engine is subjected to variable loads with the motor or engine controlled by the variations in loads.

The invention has special application to constant tension winches of the electric type, as for example mooring winches for .ships wherein an even tension is to be maintained 1 on the mooring lines, the latter being heaved in or payed out automatically when the tension on the line is reduced or increased beyond predetermined limits due to tide, loading or unloading of the ship or heavy sea; although certain features thereof may be ,utilized in Winches of other types and in other variable load control systems.

Electric winches have been heretofore proposed and used including for example the movable bed plate type of winch and that type wherein the tension is maintained through control devices actuated through spring mechanisms inserted in the gear wheels, but none of these types have proven entirely satisfactory due, among other things, to large deck space occupied by the machine and complicated control mechanisms.

The object of the present invention is a constant tension electric winch having comparatively few moving parts and occupying a markedly small space per horse power capacity. A further object is a winch whose bed plate is fixed and wherein the strain of a fast revolving gear wheel is not required to 3 Fig 3 shows a modification.

1 Referring to the drawings an electric winch embodying my invention is illustrated which includes a winch drum 1, and an electric motor 2 for driving the same suitably mounted for rotation on a fixed bed plate 3. The drum 1 is journalled in bearings 4 upon a shaft 5 and is provided at one end with an annular gear 6 having internal teeth 7 and a gear 8 is loosely and eccentrically mounted upon the shaft 5 and maintained in mesh with the internal gear 7 The eccentric ear 8 is loosely mounted upon an eccentric 9 formed as a part of a gear 10 which is keyed to the shaft 5. The gear 10 is driven by the electric motor 2 through a suitable spur or other type of gear 11. The eccentric gear 8 is kept from revolving by two uprights 12 which are suitably fastened to the eccentric gear. In the particular embodiment of the invention the upper ends of the uprights are disposed in guides 13 attached to or forming a part of the eccentric gear, the parts 12 and 13 being relatively reciprocable to permit the oscillatory movement of the eccentric gear. The lower ends of the uprights 12 are pivotally fastened to a reciprocable rod or other suitable member 14 which is carried by any suitable frame members, such for example as the members 15 and 16, these members being suitably mounted in fixed relation upon the bed plate 3. The rod 14 projects into larger recesses 17 formed by the frame members and is pivotally attached to the uprights 12 at its ends. The uprights 12 pass through recess 16' formed in the upper frame member 16 and into the chambers or recesses 17 and are maintained normally in the neutral or middle position by pairs of compression springs 18, 19, these springs engaging the opposite sides of the uprights 12 and engaging the end walls of the recesses 17. The uprights 12 which prevent the eccentrically operated gear 8 from rotating are moved back and forth against the tension of the springs 18 and 19 depending upon the tension of the cable around the drum 1 and through the control rod 14 operate to control and reverse the motor 2. The latter is reversible and is provided with two pairs of reversing contacts 20, 21 and 22, 23 for reversing the motor. In

the particular embodiment shown the contacts 21 and 23 are the movable contacts and are controlled by an actuating finger 24 or the like which is mounted upon the reciprocating rod 14, the arrangement being such that when the tension of the mooring lines vary sufiiciently in either direction the movable contact 21 or 23 is actuated to effect the desired control of the motor, as for example the starting or stopping thereof. The reversing contacts 20, 21 and 22, 23 for the motor are carried by a movable device which may be set in any desired position by the engineer so as to vary the tension desired on the mooring lines. In the particular embodiment shown I have indicated these control contacts as being carried by a fork 25, the latter straddling the actuating finger 24 and being pivoted to the bed plate frame at 26. The fork is provided with an upwardly extending operating arm 27 and this arm is operably connected through a link mechanism with a hand control lever 28, the latter being operatively associated with a segmental plate 29 with locking notches formed therein and having a conventional spring pressed detent 30 cooperating with the segment 29, the detent 30 being automatically released when the handle is gripped by means of a releasing lever 31. The link connecting mechanism between the lever 28 and the fork 25 includes two telescopically disposed links 32 and 33, the member 32 having a tubular part 32 and the member 33 having a part 33' projecting into the part 32' with a stop pin 34 fastened to the part 33' and passing out through a slot formed in the part 32. The two links 82 and 33 are maintained at their intermediate position of their adjustment range by means of compression springs 35 and 36 disposed within the tubular part 32', the spring 36 engaging at one end the end of the part 33 and at the other end engaging the member 32, while the spring 35 engages at one end a shoulder 37 formed in the part 33 and at the other end engages a collar 38 closing or formed at the end of the tubular part 32. Y

The operator or engineer by setting the lever 28 at any desired position and thereby shifting the fork 25 carrying the control contacts of the electric motor may maintain the tension of the winch at any desired value or within predetermined limits. When the tension on the line exceeds or drops below the predetermined limit corresponding to the particularsetting of the mechanism the horizontal rod and the spring and upright actuating mechanism operate through the finger or projection 24 to close the circuit for the motor which in turn heaves in or pays out the cable until a balance is struck whereupon the circuit is opened again.

The motor 2 is of the reversible type and any suitable control system may be employed.

The particular motor shown includes a series field 40, a shunt field 41 and an interpole field 42, a brake solenoid 43 being also connected across the armature of the motor. The contacts 20, 21 and 22, 23 control respectively the solenoids 44 and 45 which in turn operate respectively the pairs of switches 46, 47 and 48, 49 these pairs of switches functioning to connect the motor in circuit and to reverse the same. A starting resistance is indicated at 50 and this resistance is automatically cut out in steps by the solenoids 51, the latter being successively connected in circuit by the contacts 52 under the control of a solenoid 53 connected across the armature 2 and the resistance 50. A solenoid 54 connected in series with the armature controls the circuit of the solenoid 53 and a solenoid or electro magnet 55 automatically connects a resistance 56 across the armature circuit when the switches 47 and 49 are open, these latter switches controllin contacts 57 disposed in the circuit of the so enoid.

At 60 I have indicated a counter balancing weight on the gear 10 to pro erly balance the eccentric 9 but this counter alancing means is unnecessary where a double drive for the drum is provided, as for example duplicating the gears 7 and 8 at the other end of the drum and offsetting the eccentrics 9, 180 apart. The reduction gearing means including the eccentric gear 8, the gear 7 and the spring means for preventing the gear 8 from revolving while particularly useful in winches of this general character has advantages rendering it applicable to reduction gear uses generally, a shockless yielding reduction gear coupling being thereby effected. This flexible coupling invention is claimed in my application Serial No. 513,572, filed Februa 5, 1931. I

If deslred an auxiliary hand control of the circuits for the reversing magnets 44 and 45 may be provided and this control run to a remote control anel or to remote control points whereby the caving in and paying out of the mooring lines may be controlled independently of and at a distant point from the winch. The winch herein illustrated is useful in various applications of mooring, towing, etc. for marine, airship and other purposes. It is understood that the drawings are more or less schematic and that the intermediate gear 8 in practice is preferably ournalled upon the eccentric 9 by means of ball bearings. Also in practice the upright members 12 are naturally made as short as may be with due consideration to the practical requirements of the design.

In the modification of Fig 3 the eccentrically mounted gear 8 is prevented from rotating by means of a bar 60', the latter being rigidly fastened to the gear 8 in any suitable manner, as for exam le at 61, the outer end of this bar being yiel ingly carried between w pair of springs 62. These springs 62 are contained within a casing 63, cylindrical or Otherwise, and engage at their outer ends the end walls of this casing At their inner ends these springs engage piston bearing blocks 64 which have sphericalor cylindrical bearing surfaces for the reception of a correspondingly shaped bearing member 65. The bearing member or roller 65 is provided with an opening therethrough for the receptionof the bar 60, this opening or hole registering with slots 66 formed in the opposite sides of the casing 63. The fork 'carrying the contacts 20, 21 and 22, 23 is hinged or pivoted at 67 to any suitable fixed part of the frame and is actuated about this pivot point 67 by means of the hand control lever 28. The movement of the blocks 64 up and down results in the actuation of these contacts; For this purpose an actuating means 68 may be carried either by the blocks 64 or by the member In the particular embodiment shown the means 68 is in the form of a pin or finger carried by the member 60 and it moves between the' two pairs of contacts.

, The arms of the fork 25 are hinged at 7L and a spring 70 holds them in operative position to be engaged by the acutating pin 68 but permits them to pivot about the hinge points 71 if pressure becomes too great thereupon. The bar 60 has a reciprocating motion back and forth through the roller hearing member as the eccentric gear 8 is carried from one side to another. The resistance to rotation of the gear is, of course, transmitted to the springs 62 through the bar 60 and results in the control of the contacts by the member 68 for controlling the motor thereby causing the heaving in or paying out of the cable according to the setting of the hand control lever 28.

The gears 6 and 8 are providedwith intermeshing teeth of the design shown in the drawings, permitting the traverse of the gear 6 by the gear 8 without looking or binding. The gear ratio reduction may be anything desired within reasonable limits.

I claim: i

1. In a winch, a drum and gear to be driven, a motor for driving said drum and gear, an intermediate gear meshing with the drum gear and having a different number of teeth therefrom, means driven by said motor causing said intermediate gear to rotate the drum gear, yielding means for preventing the rotation of said intermediate gear and a control for said motor actuated by, said yielding means.

2. An apparatusof the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the intermediate gear has a smaller number of teeth than the drum gear.

3. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the drum gear is in the form of an annular ring with internal teeth intermediate gear being eccentrically and vi loosely mounted.

5. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for preventing rotation of the .intermediate gear includes two yielding devices, a guide carried by the 6 gear, and a member having one end slidably disposed in said guide and the other end retained between the yielding devices.

6. An apparatus of the character setforth in claim 1 wherein the means for preventing 1 rotation Y of the intermediate gear includes a guide carried by the gear, two yieldin devices and a member having one end sli ably disposed in said guide with its other end retained between said yielding devices and pivotally connected with the control for the power means.

7. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for preventing rotation of the intermediate gear includes a guide carried by the gear, two compression springs and a member having one end slidably disposed in said guide and the other end retained between the compression springs.

8. In a winch, a drum and gear to be driven, a motor for driving said drum and gear, an intermediate gear meshing with the drum gear and having a different number of teeth therefrom, means driven by said motor causlng said intermediate gear to rotate the drum gear, yielding means for preventing the ro-' tationof said intermediate gear, a control for said motor actuated by said yielding means and hand setting means for the control.

9. In a winch, a drum and gear to be driven. an electric motor for driving said drum and gear, an intermediate gear having a different number of teeth than that of the drum gear and meshing therewith, means driven by the electric motor for causing said intermediate gear to rotate the drum gear,-spring means for preventing the rotation of said intermediate gear, contacts for controlling said motor and means carried by the spring means for actuating said contacts.

10. An apparatus of the character set forth inclaim 9 wherein a hand controlled device is provided for moving the motor control contacts to different positions under the con;- trol of the operator. V i

11. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 9 wherein is provided a movable device, anactuator in spaced relation thereto, and the motor control contacts consist of reversing contacts carried by. said movable device in spaced relation, with the actuator therefor disposed between the spaced contacts and means for setting the contacts to any desired position.

12. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 9 wherein is provided a movable device, an actuator in spaced relation thereto, and the motor control contacts consist of reversing contacts carried by said movable device in spaced relation, with the actuator therefor disposed between thespaced con tacts, and means for setting the contacts to any desired position including a yielding device in the hand setting mechanism.

13. In a winch, a drum, a drum gear having an annular internal toothed periphery, an electric motor for driving said drum and gear, a shaft, an eccentric carried by said shaft, an intermediate gear having guides, said intermediate gear being journalled upon said eccentric and meshing with and traversing the periphery of the drum internal gear, a reciprocable member, compression springs normally maintaining the reciprocable member in an intermediate position, a pair of r0- tation restraining members slidably carried in said guides, said restraining members being pivotally attached to said reciprocable member, a movable controlling contact for controlling the circuit of said electric motor, said contact being actuated by said reciprocable member and means under the control of the operator for presetting said contact.

14. In combination, a rotary member about which a tension cable is wound and unwound, a pair of gears for driving said rotary member, one of said gears having a different number of teeth from that of the other gear, a motor, means driven by the motor for causing one of said gears to rotate the other, yielding means preventing the rotation of the former, and a control for said motor, actuated by said yielding means.

15. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 14 wherein the rotating gear is an annular internal gear and the rotation restrained gear rotates said internal gear.

16. In combination, a rotary driven member, a variable load means operated by said driven member, a pair of gears for driving said driven member, one of said gears having a different number of teeth from that of the other gear, a driving motor, means driven by the motor for causing one of said gears to rotate the other, yielding means preventing the rotation of the former, and a control for said motor actuated by said yielding means.

17. In a winch, a drum and gear to be driven, a motor for driving said drum and gear, an intermediate gear meshing with the drum gear and having a different number of teeth therefrom, means driven by said motor causing said intermediate gear to rotate the drum gear, a control for said motor and means for preventing the rotation of said intermediate gear, said means including yieldable devices and a member fixed at one end to the intermediate gear, and o rative- 1y associated at its other end with t e yieldable devices and the motor control.

18. In combination, a rotary driven member, a variable load means operated by said driven member, an internal gear member for driving said driven member, a driving motor, an eccentric driven by the motor, an intermediate gear journalled on the eccentric and maintained thereby in mesh with the internal gear, a motor control means and an elongated member having a rotation restraining connection with said intermediate ear with one end thereof yieldingly restrained ainst movement and operatively associated with said motor control means.

19. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 18 wherein the rotation restraining member is yieldingly restrained against movement in both directions and the motor control comprises means for operating the motor in reversed direction, depending upon whether the restraining arm is on one side or the other of a predetermined point.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

MELVIN B. BENSON. 

